Page 34 of Scarlet Angel

“Conservative customs.”

In the firelight, his trimmed auburn beard appears soft and warm, and I have the oddest desire to scratch my nails through it. He leans into the sofa cushion, creating more distance between us and giving me air.

“My uncle arranged a marriage for me. I didn’t have a choice or any input. Women in our world often don’t.” I look to the mesmerizing flames. He has questions and answering them may be therapeutic for me. But there’s no need to witness his reaction. “It was a business transaction. Vincent owned a chain of laundromats throughout Eastern Europe.”

“Money laundering?”

“Mostly. Vincent differed from the other men. There was a reason he wasn’t yet married. He was a little off, and everyone knew it. He tortured the cats in town.” A vision of the fountain in the square assaults me. Blood in the water from a stray cat he’d sliced and discarded. “At first, I tried to avoid him. But I couldn’t because somehow I became his stray. He’d hunt me, taunt me. Hit me until I balled into the floor and played dead.” I straighten my spine and lift my chin. “I secretly sought SERES training. For self-defense,” I add as explanation.

“I’m familiar,” he says.

“And therapy. I researched poisons under the guise of learning how to treat wounds so I could heal him if he came home wounded. No one else would help me, so I had to help myself.” I sip my drink. He must think I’m a monster. Everyone thinks so. “I became pregnant. I hadn’t decided if I was keeping it. I didn’t want to raise a child to be beaten by him and treated like an animal. But he took the choice away. He beat me so badly that I lost the child, had an emergency hysterectomy, broken ribs, broken jaw.” I point to the white line descending from my lip, the scar everyone sees. Scars crisscross my abdomen and back. The worst of my scars are invisible.

“Two days after returning from the hospital, he came at me again, furious I’d reported him. He had no reason to be angry. They did nothing to him. They didn’t believe me, or if they did, they were too scared to admit it. But I expected the worst. I prepared. And when he came at me, I killed him. Shot him first, then I took a knife and saved myself.”

“You’re the strongest woman I’ve ever met.”

My strength is irrelevant. I shift my gaze from the flames and breathe deeply, forcing down the turmoil building inside. I can’t dwell on the past. There’s nothing to be gained by unearthing dormant emotions. If Nick pities me, it will twist my insides.

“And that’s why you’re so willing to help me.”

He’s got it wrong. “I’m not helping you.” Needing him to understand, I look him straight in the eyes. “I’m helping me. This has always been my plan. Your offer provided me with a method of execution. I don’t care if I die bringing them all down. My uncle knew what he married me to. So did my mother. If I can do anything good in this world, it will be to stop the cycle.”

“Willow knew everything that happened to you? Is that why she pushed Leo to marry her?”

“I told her after it was all over. She’s younger than me, but we grew closer when I came to live with her family.” I blink against the burn behind my eyes as I’m reminded that she’s gone. “I’m happy she escaped my fate. Leandro might not have been as depraved as Vincent, but he wasn’t a good man. Death is a better fate.”

“They’ll pay.” He sips his bourbon, and his eyes narrow.

What is he thinking? What is he seeing?

One second passes. Two seconds. And then his steely, determined eyes meet mine. There’s no pity. Thank god. I so hate pity.

“When the dominoes fall, all hell will break loose. You’ll need to stay here for a while.”

“They can’t hurt me. Not anymore.” I don’t fear death.

“Is there anyone back in Italy you need to be concerned about? That we should protect? Orlando?”

“The Orlando you met is my friend. But this weekend...”

“It’s his commitment ceremony. And when he kills, he’ll change. That’s what you mean?”

“The metamorphosis to monster.” The flickering fire reminds me of my question. “Are you one?”

“A monster?” His smirk suggests he finds the label darkly amusing. “By your definition, yes. But I’ll be the shadow that keeps you safe, angel, while you light up the sky.”

CHAPTER9

NICK

“Are you nervous?”

The inquisitive, tenacious beauty at my side assesses the vintage Land Rover winding its way up the drive. Those jade eyes might be assessing me, too.

“Me? Nervous? No, green eyes, I’m not.”

I don’t miss the look of annoyance that flashes. She’s not too keen on the green eyes moniker. I’ll come up with something.

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